Elbows and shins: dressing the awkward bony areas
Little soft tissue, plenty of movement and constant knocks. Cushioning matters as much as coverage.
Wounds over bone heal slowly because there is less blood supply and more mechanical stress. They also get knocked, which reopens them.
Prioritise padding
Choose a dressing with a thicker absorbent pad, or consider silicone foam if the area takes repeated impact. The cushioning is doing real work here.
Apply in mid-position
Same principle as the knee — bend the elbow partway before applying so the dressing is not at full stretch in either direction.
Shins need extra care
Shin wounds, particularly in older adults, are notoriously slow to heal. Take them more seriously than their size suggests, keep them covered, and get advice early if there is any sign of stalling.
Protect from knocks
A layer of tubular or conforming bandage over the dressing absorbs impacts and stops the edges catching on clothing.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
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FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.